Chapter 13: Jacob
The ship's drive core hummed as Brynn Cole tweaked its output and internal workings. It was cone shaped and smaller than the Normandy's. It's reactor core shown brightly with a blue hue. Brynn looked to see if it was secure, then walked back to work on the main engines. Jacob was already back there checking the systems. "Everything okay, baby?" Jacob asked. "Yes," Brynn answered, "All system levels are normal, reactor is working properly, the venting process is functional. Everything looks solid." She smiled and gave Jacob a touch on the shoulder as she moved to the other terminal behind him.
Jacob finished up his work and looked to Brynn. "I'm gonna go up top, check on the rest of the crew," Jacob said, "Everyone should be meeting outside soon." "Okay," Brynn said, "I'll be up shortly to tour." Jacob walked through the door to his left and entered the spacious shuttle bay. Going by the armory and Kodiak class shuttle transport to the elevator, he punched in a level and took it up a floor. He entered onto the Crew Deck. In front of him was the Mess Hall, which had a kitchen and ample tables and chairs. To his left, next to the elevator doors, was the Med-Bay. Across from the Med-Bay were some of the crews living quarters. There was one on the right in the same position, only it was across from the Life Support room. The two Crew Quarter's made the walls of the Mess Hall, and behind the mess's kitchen were the Forward Batteries.
He walked into the Med-Bay and checked the supplies, noticing a lack of prescription drugs. An easy thing to neglect, especially on a war-ship. They had pain-killers of course, but it was anti-toxins Jacob noticed that was lacking. Jacob made a note and left the room. In the mess hall, sergeants Tess and Aubrey Reynolds were eating their breakfast as they talked about their new posting.
"You hear what we're doin' here?" Tess asked Aubrey as she shoveled eggs into her mouth. "Please," Aubrey said, "enlighten me. It's not like I've read the de-brief." Tess swallowed her mouthful of eggs. "We're goin' after a Thorian! That thing hasn't been around since that attack on Zhu's Hope! Remember what mom and dad said? When they were controlled?" Aubrey snapped at her sister. "Tess, come on! This is serious. I remember what happened with mom and dad; I was there! I remember the headaches they had after the fact. The dreams they would have. The ExoGeni bastards I had to deal with, and the contracts from Baria Frontiers." Tess had stopped eating, shell-shocked. "Something goin' on here, you two?" Jacob said as he passed by.
Aubrey collected herself. "Nothing, Lieutenant Taylor, I'm just… We were just talking about the mission. Tess here is my sister." Tess gave a sheepish wave as she slowly returned to eating. Aubrey continued on. "We grew up on Feros, in the Zhu's Hope colony. Our parents were under Thorian control for a time. We weren't there long enough for it to take hold of us though. Our parents sent us to an Alliance training school back on Earth when we were 11. We've had experience with Thorian powers though, sir. We're both well qualified." Jacob found their connection to Zhu's Hope interesting. "You grew up there? Your parents were under Thorian control?" he asked, "I heard the colonists have some sort of mind connection now because of the Thorian." Tess perked up a bit. "Yeah," she said, "but only in close proximity now. It was measured to span across systems. It's been dialing down though." Aubrey joined in the conversation. "It was the only way they survived the Reaper invasion. Their neural connectivity was a huge advantage in repelling waves of Reaper forces. We were just lucky that mom and dad got out in time." "Yeah," Tess agreed. Jacob nodded folding his arms. "Alright," he said, "well I'm glad you're on board for this. This isn't the same Thorian, though. It's a different one, and from its actions on the survivors of the Hugo Gernsback, it's hostile. So be ready when we find it." Aubrey stood and saluted Jacob, swiftly followed by Tess. "Whenever you need us, sir, we're ready." Tess chimed in. "Be good to finally see this thing face to face." Jacob saluted them back. "Good to hear."
Jacob dropped his salute and continued on to the Batteries. There was a Thanix Cannon installed as the main gun, with GARDIAN lasers and Javelin disrupter torpedoes making up the other armaments. Jacob checked the systems. Some of these guns need calibrating, Jacob thought to himself. He made a note and continued on. Walking back into the elevator, he took it up one more floor to the Bridge, where he entered upon the ship's Galaxy map and Navigational crew. The Galaxy Map and CIC were dead center, similar to the Normandy's design, with crewmen working at console's alongside it. To his left was the door to the Technologies Lab, which was housed alongside the pathways around the CIC that lead to the main cockpit. On the right side of the CIC and in parallel to the Tech Lab was the Communications Room. It held the ship's QEC and several other communication and information hubs. Behind the elevator was the Captain's Quarters, which held three lavishly decorated bedrooms: one for the Commanding Officer, one for the Executive Officer, and one for the Gunnery Officer.
Jacob walked by some crew members who gave him friendly greetings until he came to Navigator Adam Collins. "Sir," Collins said with a salute, "everything is green. Whenever you need us we are good to go." "Good," Jacob said, "The rest of the crew should be outside. I'm about to head out and bring 'em in." "Aye, Aye." Collins said briskly. Jacob gave him a salute and headed to the docking area next to the cockpit, which was in front of the galaxy map. As he went into the decontamination port between the ship and the outside world, he smiled. This ship was almost as good as the Normandy. He'll need to give it a name soon.
"God, why am I the most punctual? Seriously, of all people." Jack was leaning against a column outside in the New York docking bay. It was docking bay N117. In the bay, Jack saw a ship that had a little bit of a resemblance to the Normandy, though it lacked it's elongated hull. The engines looked the same, but it was like someone smashed the hull to make it shorter and rounder. Jack scoffed. She still was pissed that she was there first. Waiting made her mad.
"Ma'am," a voice said behind her. She turned and saw a drell standing behind her. Looked a bit liker her old teammate Thane Krios. "Yeah?" she asked, curious. "Is this docking bay N117?" the drell asked. "Yeah," Jack replied, "You here for the mission?" "Yes," the drell answered, "I am Kolyat Krios. I've been asked to come as the team's medic." He outstretched his arm to shake her hand. "You are?" Now Jack remembered the drell. "Oh, you're Thane's son! I thought I had seen you before. Name's Jack." She shook his hand. "I knew your father. He was a hell of a shot." Kolyat chuckled. "Yes, that is very true. He had told me of you, Jack. I remember him speaking of your prowess in battle. He was very envious of your biotic abilities." Jack smiled. "Yeah, well, Thane was skilled in his own way, too. Wish I could do what he could do." Kolyat looked down, smiling.
He looked up quickly, as if sensing something. "Someone is cloaked behind you, ma'am." Jack was surprised and quickly turned around. "How'd you know, Kolyat?" Kasumi said as she uncloaked. Kolyat smiled. "A trick my father taught me. You must be…" Kasumi quickly gave Jack a huge hug and ran around to shake hands with Kolyat. "Kasumi Goto. I remember you from the funeral. I never forget a face." Kolyat shook her hand. "Ya look good, Kasumi," Jack said, "How've ya been doin'?" "Oh, you know, doing this and that," she said, "just helping cops solve crimes for a time. Learned a lot. Did a few jobs on the side." "Sounds like you kept yourself busy," Jack said. "Yeah, I did," Kasumi said, "but when Jacob came and got me for this mission, how could I say no?" Jack laughed. "Yeah, you and your obsession with his black abs." "Hey," Kasumi scolded, "They are perfect. So perfect." Jack looked around. "Is this it?" Jack asked, "is this the squad?"
Just as she started speaking, Miranda and Dagg sauntered from the shadows towards the group. "No," Miranda said, "with the two of us here, we're just waiting on one more." Jack, Kasumi and Kolyat looked up at the duo. "Hey, if it isn't the leader of this brave company," Jack said mockingly. "Hey Miranda!" Kasumi said pertly. Kolyat gave a bow as Miranda waved at them. Jack looked over at Dagg, curious to see a krogan outside of Tuchanka territory. "Who's the krogan?" Dagg puffed out his chest and introduced himself. "I am Aralakh Dagg, second-in-command to Aralakh Grunt." Jack raised an eyebrow. "Last I knew Grunt, it was just 'Grunt'. What's this Aralakh business?" Miranda explained the situation. "I was looking for Grunt on Tuchanka. Ended up helping his resistance end the Urdnot clan's reign over the planet. Dagg is here in Grunt's stead. Grunt is busy with rebuilding his people." Jack thought about this. She then extended her arm to the krogan. "Welcome to the team, dude."
Dagg shook her hand smiling, then moved to greet Kasumi and Kolyat. Jack walked over to Miranda. "Grunt is leading the krogan?" she asked. "Yes," Miranda answered, "I saw him kill Urdnot Wreav. Grunt was beaten badly, but he pulled it out in the end." They watched as Dagg talked with the two other members. "He's loyal to Grunt, then?" Jack asked. Miranda looked at Jack curiously. "Are you asking me if we can trust him?" Jack shrugged. "Just saying. The krogan are recluses now. Was Grunt still the same Grunt?" Miranda shook her head. "No, he was different, but for the better. Grunt is a leader now. He's still blood thirsty and ruthless like we know him. But he cares for his people. Dagg is loyal to him and I believe that he carries the respect for this mission that Grunt does." Jack seemed to understand.
Dagg bridged the gap between the two groups. "I like these people, Lawson," he said, "I look forward to shedding the enemies blood alongside them!" Miranda smiled and nodded. "We're glad to have you along, Dagg." Looking around, Dagg spoke again. "You told me about an asari warrior being on the team. I don't see one here." "That is because she is just now arriving." Everyone turned to see Samara walking over towards the group. She was smiling, happy to see everyone together. Miranda hurried over to greet her. "Samara! It's good to see you!" "Thank you," Samara replied, "It is good to see you too. And may I congratulate you on your new title as Spectre. It is a great honor." Miranda shook her hand. "Thanks. That means a lot." Samara looked over the rest of the team. "Jack, Kasumi Goto. Good to see you again." Jack and Kasumi waved. "Likewise, Samara," Kasumi said, "do any justicar-ing lately?" Samara chuckled, "More than you know, Kasumi."
She moved to greet Dagg. "Hello, Dagg. It is good to see you again." Miranda looked surprised. "You know Dagg?" Dagg smirked as he shook Samara's hand. "I was wondering if you were the justicar she was talking about. Good to see a familiar face." Samara smiled back at Dagg. "About a century ago," Samara explained, "I was on Tuchanka attempting to kill an asari criminal who was hiding out on the planet. Dagg was in his clan's security force, and I worked with him personally to bring her down." Dagg chuckled. "Several chases through the back roads, temples, and an attack from a Harvester that would make you piss your pants. That was a good fight, Samara." "Indeed." Samara said smiling back.
She moved to greet Kolyat, who was at the back of the group. "Hello, Kolyat Krios." He shook her hand. "Hello again, justicar Samara," he replied, "It is good to see you again." Samara smiled and gave Kolyat a bow. "You know I respected your father a great deal," she said, "though he was a criminal in the eyes of the law. I am deeply honored to be working with you, Kolyat Krios. You honor his memory by joining us." Kolyat nodded his head slowly. "That gives me great pleasure, justicar. Thank you."
Jack interrupted abruptly. "Alright, so we're all here, when do we go on the ship?" Suddenly the doors to the ship opened and Jacob Taylor walked out to greet the team. Everyone turned to see him exit. Miranda smiled. It was really going to happen. "Hey all," Jacob said, "Welcome aboard the SSV Eos."